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Mr. Tom Posted 11 years ago
Hi
We have an expression in our language whose literal translation would be something like this:
Shoot one's gun from someone else's shoulder
This expression is used to talk about someone's mean act -- when a person wants to do something risky (or bad) but wants someone else to execute the task so that s/he is not blamed for anything in the end.
Would a native speaker understand this expression and find it natural in everyday conversation?
A- You must go ahead and tell the boss everything that's been bothering you.
B- I think, John, it's you who is most bothered at the moment. Please don't try to shoot (anything) from my shoulder. If you feel that Mr. Ian must know of the latest happenings in the office, then go right ahead and tell him yourself.
Thanks,
Tom
Grammar
Shoot one's gun from someone else's shoulder
Hi
We have an expression in our language whose literal translation would be something like this:
Shoot one's gun from someone else's shoulder
This expression is used to talk about someone's mean act -- when a person wants to do something risky (or bad) but wants someone else to execute the task so that s/he is not blamed for anything in the end.
Would a native speaker understand this expression and find it natural in everyday conversation?
A- You must go ahead and tell the boss everything that's been bothering you.
B- I think, John, it's you who is most bothered at the moment. Please don't try to shoot (anything) from my shoulder. If you feel that Mr. Ian must know of the latest happenings in the office, then go right ahead and tell him yourself.
Thanks,
Tom
Top answer
Mr. Tom Would a native speaker understand this expression and find it natural in everyday conversation? No.
- Mr.
- Tom Would a native speaker understand this expression and find it natural in everyday conversation?
- No.
- It's exceedingly unnatural.
- I'm trying to think of an equivalent in English, but I'm coming up with nothing at the moment.
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8 Answers
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Mr. TomWould a native speaker understand this expression and find it natural in everyday conversation?No. It's exceedingly unnatural. I'm trying to think of an equivalent in English, but I'm coming up with nothing at the moment.
CJ
Edit.
Mr. TomPlease don't try to shoot (anything) from my shoulder.Don't
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The term cat's paw comes to mind. But I rarely encounter it anymore.
eg Mary used Tom as her cat's paw.
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Cat's paw is a phrase derived from La Fontaine's fable, "http:
eg Mary used Tom as her cat's paw.
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Cat's paw is a phrase derived from La Fontaine's fable, "http:
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"Patsy" and "fall guy" are other terms, although they aren't exact matches for the "gun at someone else's shoulder" idea.
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CJ, I do think "I won't do your dirty work for you" is the best choice.
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BarbaraPACJ, I do think "I won't do your dirty work for you" is the best choice.It works for me, too.
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And to you! I"ve been in 2015 a few more hours than you have, and so far, so good.
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BarbaraPAAnd to you! I"ve been in 2015 a few more hours than you have, and so far, so good.Oh, good! Keep me posted. I always like to be forewarned about what's coming up in the next few hours!
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